Inside the

A n o f f i c i a l p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e F l o r i d a S t a t e G o l f A s s o c i a t i o n

Florida State Golf Association 8875 Hidden River Parkway, Suite 110 Tampa, FL 33637 (813) 632-FSGA fax (813) 910-2129 www.fsga.org

Steve Melnyk Inducted into Hall of FameSteve Melnyk was inducted into the Florida State Golf Association’s Hall of Fame during their Annual Dinner held at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville on November 21, 2008.

Steve was born in Brunswick, Georgia on February 26, 1947. He attended the University of Florida where he was a three time All-American before graduating in 1969 with a BSBA in Industrial Man-agement. After graduation, Steve won the US Amateur, Western Amateur and was a member of the Walker Cup Team. Between 1970 and 1972 he won the Eastern Amateur and was the low ama-teur in the British Open, Masters and became the British Amateur Champion in 1971.

Steve joined the PGA Tour in 1972 and placed 2nd four times before leaving the tour due to an elbow injury in 1983. Steve has been a television analyst for: CBS Sports, ESPN and the Golf Channel. He has been inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, The Georgia Golf Hall of Fame and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Steve and his wife, Debby reside in Jacksonville.

Rick Greenleaf and Pat Finfrock 2008 Volunteers of the Year

Rick Greenleaf, of Ju-piter, has been involved with the FSGA since 2002. He has volun-teered for more than 60 events, ranging from the Florida Junior Tour, the FSGA Winter Series, Championships, Quali-fi ers, USGA Qualifi ers, and the FHSAA High School Championship.

Rick Greenleaf Pat Finfrock

Steve Melnyk

Pat Finfrock, of Port St. Lucie, joined the Section 12 Course Rating team in 1994. Pat became a Captain in 2000 and with four counties and over 100 courses to rate, Pat keeps his team rating 10 to 12 courses per year.

December 2008

Quail Valley & John’s Island West to Co-Host 2009 Florida Open

The Florida State Golf Association with the cooperation of the Dixie, South Florida and North Florida PGA Sections will conduct the 2009 Florida Open at Quail Valley Golf Course and Johns’s Island West in Vero Beach July 17-19. The purse is estimated to be $75,000 with a $12,000 check going to the 2009 Florida Open Winner!

Over the past few years the tournament has become somewhat of a mini-tour event and the FSGA acquired the rights to run the tournament and looks forward to bringing it back to the Florida PGA Section Professionals and Amateurs. We encourage members to tell their PGA Club Professionals to put down those reports, get out from behind the counters and go practice for this great championship. The championship will be shown on Sun Sports/Fox Sports Network in November so all the snowbirds can catch up on the action. Please go to our website www.fsga.org for information on qualifying for the Florida Open.

David Johnson, 21, of Palm Bay, earned Player-of-the-Year honors with 1440 overall points. David is a member of the University of Central Florida men’s golf team. David put his college golf experience to work to take home top honors at the FSGA’s Amateur Match Play Championship. In the fi nal match he defeated Carlos Velez, of Miami, 2 & 1 for the victory. David tied for third place in the 2008 State Amateur and he was a fi nalist in the US Amateur Public Links Championship.

2008 Players of the Year Honored

Rick Woulfe, 58, of Fort Lauderdale, won his fourth straight Senior Player-of-the-Year award in 2008. Rick fi nished tied for second at the Mid-Senior Championship, placed second at the Mid-Senior Four-Ball, tied for fourth at the Senior Four-Ball Championship and the Mid-Amateur Four-Ball South, advanced to the semifi nal round of the Senior Amateur Match Play Championship, and placed seventh in the Senior Amateur Championship. Rick also participated in his 10th Southeastern Challenge Match. Rick earned the Player-of-the-Year award in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and the Senior Player-of-the-Year in 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Ernesto Marin, 18, from Miami, is the 2008 Junior Player-of-the-Year recipient. He followed his T-12th fi nish at the State Boys Junior Championship with a 4 & 3 victory over Kevin Britton at the Junior Match Play Championship. Ernesto also qualifi ed for the U.S. Junior Championship, where he advanced to the quarterfi nal round. Ernesto recently signed a letter of intent with Penn State University.

David Johnson

Rick Woulfe

Ernesto Marin

2007-2008 Florida Junior Tour Points Champions

Blayne BarberBoys 16-18 Champion

Matthew Ceravolo Boys 13-15 Champion

Erica PopsonGirls 16-18 Champion

Simin Feng Girls 13-15 Champion

For information on points please go to: www.fl oridajuniortour.

President’s Award - Alexis ThompsonAlexis Thompson, 13, of Coral Springs, is the fi rst-ever recipient of the President’s Award, given to players who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the game of golf. Alexis competed on the Florida Junior Tour from 2005 - 2007 where she won 6 out of 10 events. She started competing at the age of 10, playing against girls ages 13-18. She captured 3 titles as a 10 year old and captured 3 more titles after turning 11. In 2007, she made history as the youngest qualifi er to compete in the U.S. Women’s Open and as the youngest quarterfi nalist in US Women’s Amateur history. In 2008, she became the second-youngest winner in history to capture the title of the 60th U.S. Girls Junior Championship and was named to the Rolex All American Team.

Board Elections

Simin Feng

Alexis Thompson

The following offi cers were re-elected during the Annual Meeting: Tom Dudley, President; Tom Keedy, Vice-President; Jim Applegate, Treasurer; Randy Briggs, Director at Large; George Roat, Director at Large and Mike Timbers continues as Immediate Past President. Chuck Phillips of Bonita Springs was elected to replace Brian Robideau as Director at Large for 2009. Re-elected to the Board for 2009 are Brett Voisin of Orlando, Roger Harbie of Viera and Brian Robideau of Palm Beach Gardens.

We would like to thank outgoing Directors: Bill Giese, John Harrigan, Dick Johnson, Chip Landon and Johnny Williams who completed two terms in offi ce.

The Future of Golf Foundation provides college scholarships to employees of member clubs and their dependents and FJT golfers. The Foundation assists juniors with entry and travel expenses to state and national competitions. The FSGA has committed $250,000 over fi ve years to the Future of Golf Foundation. The Foundation is funded by contributions and fund-raising programs including FSGA membership initiatives. All membership dollars above the regular $45 membership fee goes towards the Foundation.

FSGA Aids Florida High School State Finals The Florida State Golf Association is in charge of the on-course tournament administration of the Florida High-School Athletic Association State Golf Finals. The state of Florida has 659 high schools. Currently 442 of those schools have golf programs.

46 Florida Junior Tour Players Sign Early

Foundation News

Nicole Agnello, University of Virginia Jessica Alexander, Coastal CarolinaGabrielle Balit, Vanderbilt UniversityKevin Britton, Newberry CollegeAlexandria Buelow, Stetson UniversityKim Carpenter, Presbyterian CollegeKyleen Carpenter, Presbyterian CollegePhillip Choi, University of FloridaAndrew Colvin, University of Central FloridaMicah Dowling, Presbyterian CollegeKelly Drack, University of DenverLindy Duncan, Duke UniversityCabriel Duren, South Carolina State UniversityAaron Fitzpatrick, Texas Tech UniversityBrian Fragakis, Southern Methodist UniversityChandler Gruenemeer, Newberry CollegeDaniel Hanania, Savannah State UniversityMichael Herbert, Florida State UniversityPete Kellerman, University of MississippiCasey Kennedy, Auburn UniversityJennifer Kirby, University of AlabamaGeorge Letson, Florida State UniversityAmelia Lewis, University of Central Florida

Ernesto Marin, Penn State UniversityTyler McCumber, University of FloridaMax McKay, Liberty UniversityJennifer Neville, University of South FloridaBrandon Park, Seton Hall UniversityBrant Peaper, Indiana UniversityKevin Phelan, University of North FloridaSherlyn Popelka, Arizona State UniversityErica Popson, University of TennesseeMadison Pressel, University of TexasAlexa Rancourt, Furman UniversityJaime Ritter, University of MiamiJamey Salmon, Jacksonville UniversityCrystal Smith, University of IllinoisZachery Sobel, Ohio State UniversityJulian Suri, Duke UniversityTaylor Szyndlar, Jacksonville UniversityJohn VanVranken, Sierra CollegeT.J. Vogel, University of Southern CaliforniaCarson Weinand, Yale UniversityAurelie Wiriath, Mercer UniversityCarlie Yadlockzy, Auburn UniversityShena Yang, University of South Florida

Garrett Morrison wins 27th Mid-Amateur Championship

Garrett Morrison defeated Duke Butler 2 & 1 in the fi nal round match to take home thetitle of the 27th Mid-Amateur Championship held at the Coral Creek Club in Placida.

Morrison, of Orlando, defeated Doug Snoap of Apopka, 1 up in the morning semi-fi nal match to advance to the fi nals. Butler, of Ponte Vedra Beach, defeated Jeronimo Esteve, of Miami, 4 & 2 in the semifi nal match to advance to the fi nals.

Morrison, the 2008 State Amateur runner-up, got off to a hot start in the fi nal match against Butler. Going 5-under through six holes with three birdies and an eagle, Mor-rison started with a commanding 4-up lead. Exchanging jabs from holes 6 through 13, Morrison birdied the 13th hole to take a 4-up lead with fi ve holes to play. On number 15, trying to end the match, Morrison was pumped with adrenaline and fl ew his 8-iron over the green, failing to get up and down. On 16 his bad luck continued, hitting his drive into the bunker and losing another hole to Butler. With a 2-up lead and two holes to play, Morrisson parred 17 and could only watch as Butler lined up his putt for a birdie chance to extend the match. When Butler’s putt hung on the high side of the cup Morrisson claimed victory. “I’d like to say a big thank-you to Orange Tree Country Club in Orlando, and a special thank-you to Tom Burnett, my coach. I could not have done it with-

Garrett Morrison

Champions Attend Annual Dinner

Twenty-Four 2008 Champions joined approxmately 140 people at Timuquana Country Club in Jacksonville for championship awards, recognition of volunteers, Steve Melynk’s induction into the Hall of Fame and dinner.

More pictures from the Annual Dinner can be found on our website: www.fsga.org

Andrews & Barthle win Senior Four Ball Championship Andrews/Barthle 66-67--133McGuigan/Smoak 65-69--134Lujack/Eads 67-67--134Woulfe/Ethridge 70-66--136Cleland/Walcott 67-69--136Earsley/Browning 70-66--136Kartner/Allsion 69-70--138Bounds/Sim 70-68--138Zabytko/Wentworth 70-68--138Sponder/Rosenbaum 68-70--138Merrell/Merrell 68-71--139Dulman/McConchie 66-73--139McKenzie/Gravette 68-71--139Hall/Todd 69-70--139Hyman/Norka 70-70--140Schwencke/Bossel 66-75--141Spears/Darr 70-71--141Pearce/Scamehorn 70-72-142Gill/Turner 69-75--144

Hunter/Sauvola 81-83--164

Super Senior Flight Andre/Louis 64-67--131Lechey/Brown 69-66--135LeClair/Madson 69-71--140Rogoff/Dubois 67-74--141

Johnson/Wilkins 71-68--139Sims/Tedrick 72-70--142Whittemore/Whittemore 72-70--142Latowski/Luzar 71-72--143Flischel/Visich 74-71--145Kilgore/Hawke 73-73--146Sheftall/Martin 73-73--146Danluck/Walker 73-73--146Cuisimano/Hoyt 74-73--147Lloyd/Derito 75-72--147Reintgen/Downs 74-74--148Hutchins/Saft 74-74--148Johnson/Ogan 73-78--151Dickey/Aronoff 76-75--151Keedy/Keedy 77-74--151Deary/Deary 73-79--152Neu/Luff 75-79--154Davis/Appelbaum 84-72--156

Starting the day one stroke behind fi rst round leaders, James McGuigan and Woodrow Smoak, Andrews and Barthle didn’t let windy conditions stop them in their quest for a come-from-behind victory. Pete Andrews, of Lithia and Lenny Barthle, of Valrico, fi red a 5-under-par round of 67, to put them at an 11-under par 133 total for the event, good enough for a one stroke victory over McGuigan and Smoak. With their win, Andrews and Barthle earn an exemption into the 2009 Four-Ball Championship. James McGuigan, of Jupiter, and Woodrow Smoak, of Palm City, fell into a tie for second place after following their fi rst round of 65 with a 3-under par round of 69 for a 134 total. The duo of Skip Lujack, of Brandon, and Jeff Eads, of Brandon, also fi nished tied for second with a 134 total.

Andre and Louis win Super Senior Four Ball In the Super Senior Division, George Andre, an active FSGAvolunteer of Palm Beach Gardens, and Terry Louis, of Palm Beach Gardens, increased their fi rst round lead to win their division by four strokes. Andre and Louis fi nished the event with a round of 75 todayfor a 3-under par 139 total. Bob Sims, of Tallahassee, and David Tedrick, of Tallahassee, fi nished tied for second with Kent Whittenmore, of Saint Petersberg and Jim Whittenmore, of Temple Terrace, with a 142 total.

George Andre & Terry Louis, Super Senior Champions

Pete Andrews & Lenny Barthle Senior Four-Ball Champions

Congratulations Jim!

Jim Demick has been elected President of the International Association of Golf Administrators. The IAGA consists of 250 Executive Directors, Tournament Directors and other employees of state, regional and national golf associations. The member associations of the IAGA represent more than 3 million golfers.

Please visit www.fsga.org for up to date information on tournaments

Championship Flight First Flight

“Do I Have to Drop on the Cart Path?” by Jack Pultorak, FSGA Director of Rules and Competitions

Have you ever had the misfortune to hit your ball into a lateral water hazard that has a cart path running right alongside the hazard?

After you measure out your two club-lengths from where it last crossed the margin of the hazard, you discover that the two club-lengths would put you squarely in the middle of the cart path. The question then comes up as to whether or not you have to drop it on the cart path or can you just skip over the cart path and drop it on the other side of the path?

At the recent high school championships this situation came up numerous times and I was asked several times by players how to proceed. Let’s take a look in the Rule Book.

When you look at the water hazard Rule (Rule 26), the third option tells you that you must drop a ball outside the hazard and within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard. It says nothing about cart paths; just within two club-lengths and not nearer the hole outside the hazard.

So, the answer to the question is “yes”, you must drop it on the cart path in order to proceed properly under the water hazard Rule.

Inevitably, the next statement to follow is “that’s not fair, I’ll be on the cart path”. Well now that you have fi nished dealing with the water hazard you have a whole new situation. You may have interference from the cart path and if you do, you may proceed under the obstruction Rule (Rule 24-2b). That’s fair!

Find your nearest point of relief that is no nearer the hole that avoids interference from the cart path that is not in a hazard or on a putting green and drop the ball within one club-length of that point. Now you’re back playing golf!

New GHIN Clubs The FSGA welcomes the following clubs that recently joined the GHIN Handicap System. These clubs join the more than 600 clubs state-wide on the GHIN Handicap System. For more on the GHIN Handicap System, please contact Aaron Skoviera at 813.632.3742.

Amelia National Bay Hill Club and Lodge Crane Creek Reserve Heritage Isles Golf & Country Club Holiday Golf and Racquet Club Paquee Golf Club Plantation Bay Sandridge Golf Club Sebastian Golf Club Stoneybrook Golf Course Terra Ceia Bay Golf & Tennis Club The Dunes The Moors Waterlefe Golf & River Club

Thank you!

2009Rules of Golf Workshops Full Day EventsJanuary 14, 2009 LPGA International Daytona BeachJanuary 15, 2009 Timuquana CC JacksonvilleFebruary 6, 2009 Hunters Green CC TampaFebruary 12, 2009 The Forest CC Ft. MyersFebruary 26, 2009 Mission Valley CC NokomisMarch 9, 2009 Rocky Bayou CC Niceville March 12, 2009 Gainsville CC Gainsville

Please check our website for additional dates. www.fsga.org

Florida State Golf Association8875 Hidden River Parkway, Suite 110Tampa, Florida 33637

Non-Profi tOrganizationUS Postage

PAID TAMPA FLPERMIT NO 1051

Individual Events: Four Ball Team Events:

January 5&6: Entries close on Dec. 25 December 15 & 16: Entries close on Dec. 3 LPGA International, Daytona Beach PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie

January 19-20: Entries close on January 7 February 2 & 3: Entries close on Jan. 21 Rio Pinar Country Club, Orlando Bloomingdale Golfers Club, Valrico

February 15 & 16: Entries close on February 4 March 16 & 17: Entries close on March 4 Hunters’s Creek Golf Club, Orlando Juliette Falls, Dunnellon

March 2 & 3: Entries close on February 18The Majors Golf Club, Palm Bay

Winter Series 54-Hole Final Event:

2008-2009 Winter Series

March 16 &